IMPRESSIVE DEBUT

Evening Star, Issue 23147, 22 December 1938, Page 6

IMPRESSIVE DEBUT

AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES AT MILTON BEST CLOCKS “ EVENS " FOR HUNDRED Making the first appearance of a tour of the Dominion conducted by the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association at Milton last night, the Australian Empire Games athletes* Gerald Backhouse and Ted Best, created a splendid impression by their performances under conditions that were most unpleasant.

Off the boat only four days, it might have been excusable had the Victorian runners failed to reproduce form in their first outing, but the Toko. Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club’s meeting last night showed that the present team should be one of the best to visit the Dominion in recent years. Best clocked lOsec in heat and final of the 100yds handicap, a remarkable performance, since the meeting was held in heavy rain, and conditions underfoot were far from good. He impressed as one of the finest sprinters to visit Otago, and when he gets on to a fast track the New Zealand record of 0 4-ssec. which has withstood the attacks of some of the best . overseas sprinters, is not beyond him. Best had no difficulty in winning, but after moving smoothly into his stride he unloosed a dazzling burst of speed over the last 40yds. On this form it is difficult to see anyone in New Zealand holding the brilliant yoiing Victorian. He won the 220yds handicap with even greater ease than he did the 100yds, and, catching the field 50yds from the tape, was content to stride in with Byds to spare, the time being 24sec. Backhouse appeared in both the halfmile and mile handicaps, and, conceding 20yds to the winner of the former, R. G Pilling (University), finished 2yds back in second place in 2rain 4 2-ssec. It was quite patent that Backhouse needed the run to loosen up a little, and in spite of the track conditions ho showed that he should have little trouble in striking top form early. He caught the field before the straight was reached, but Pilling, who is renowned for his finishing ability, came again and scored a meritorious win, the time being excellent under the circumstances. Backhouse sportingly came out for the mile also, but merely for an exhibition run, and this race was won by the Celtic United junior, H. F. Coombes, in 4min 41sec, off 110yds. The 440yds handicap was another well-contested event, the Empire Games representative, H. J. Tyrie, running his first race oyer the distance this season, and just failing to catch G. Davie, who won from the Byds mark in 54seo. Pilling, one of the most versatile athletes in New Zealand, followed up his fine win in the half-mile handicap by tieing with the Toko, athlete, A. R. Martin, in the hop, step, and jump, the University man doing a triple leap of 39ft Sin, a fair enough effort under such conditions.

R. Olver (Toko.) won the discus throw, but the best performance was that of J. Dalgliesh, who registered 105 ft Sin. The North Otago man won the shot putt with 43ft sU’n, and although the shot was a 14-pounder instead of the regulation 16-pounder this was a very good effort. H. Whitaker (Toko.) won the javelin throw and E. Currie (Toko.) the long jump. The Toko. Club, with the assistance of Otago Centre officials, carried out the meeting under adverse conditions without the slightest hitch, arid credit for the excellent conduct of the meeting must go to the president (Mr J. R. Wilson), the secretary (Mr C. P. Keppel), and an energetic band of assistants.

During the evening the visitors made presentations of medals (given bv Mr S. Saunders) to R. Flett and L. Martin, winner of the hoys’ and girls’ races respectively. Results: —

75 YARDS BOYS’ RACE. R. Flett 1 K. Flett 2 A. Fagg ... 3 Time, 10 l-ssec. Seven starters. 75 YARDS GIRLS’ RACE. L. Martin 1 L. Craigie 2 I. Flett 3 Time, 10 2-ssec. Six starters. 75 YARDS WOMEN’S HANDICAP First Heat.—Miss H. Ferguson (scr) 1, Miss E. Cuff (4yds) 2, Miss S Allison (syds) 3. Time, 9 2-ssec. Four starters. Won by half a yard each way. Second Heat.—Miss At. Dodds (2£yds) I, Miss H. Morris (3yds) 2, Miss J. Flett (syds) 3. Time, 9 2-ssec. Five starters. Won by a yard, half a yard between second and third. —Final.— Miss J. Flett (syds) 1 Miss H. Ferguson (scr) ... ... ... 2 Miss M. Dodds (2£yds) 3 Time, 9 4-ssec. Won by inches, a foot between second and third. 100 YARDS HANDICAP. First Heat.—E. W. Best (Australia), scr, 1; W. Bellamy (Toko.), 7yds, 2; J. Stafford (Anglican), 6yds, 3. Time, lOsec. Only starters. Best came away like a flash, and was with the others at the 60yd mark. Striding beautifully he finished with a great burst to win by 4yds, syds between second and third. Second Heat.—A. Stewart (Toko.), 10yds, 1; V. Idour .(Civil Service), 4yds, 2; A. R. Martin (Toko.), 7yds, 3. Time, 10 l-ssec. Only starters. Won by 2ft; Ift between second and third. —Final.— E. W. Best (Australia), scr 1 W. Bellamy (Toko.), 7yds 2 V. Idour (Civil Service), 4£yds ... 3 Time, lOsec. Once again Best moved quickly into his stride and he was going like a train at the 60yd mark, finishing with another electrifying burst to win by syds; 2yds betiveen second and third. 220 YARDS HANDICAP. First Heat.—C. P. Keppel (Toko.), lOvds, 1; A. Stewart (Toko.), 16yds, 2* J. Stafford (Anglican) 13yds, 3. Time, 25sec Won by a yard; 4yds between second and third. E. W. Best and G. Davie were the only ones to come forward for the second heat, which was incorporated in the final. —Final.— E. W. Best (Australia), scr 1 G. Davie (Anglican), syds 2 A. Stewart (Toko.), 16yds ... ... 3 Time. 24sec. Best had the race in hand with half the distance covered, and catching the field entering the back straight, he strode easily over the last 50yds to win by Byds, Stewart a yard back third. 440 YARDS HANDICAP.

G. Davie (Anglican), Byds 1 H. J. Tyrie (Civil Service), scr ... 2 W. Bellamy (Toko.), 26yds 3

Time, 54sce. Six starters, Davie led along the back stretch with Tyrie moving np fast, hut entering the straight Davie was able to stall oil' Tyne's challenge to win by a yard; Hellamy syds Gack third. j

880 YARDS HANDICAP. . R. G. Pilling (University), 20yds ... 1 G. D. Backhouse (Australia),'scr ... 2 R. S. Moody (Anglican), 10yds ... 3 Time, 2min 4 2-ssec. Seven starters. M. Collins, who was off the limit of COyds, led over the first lap, but Pilling was within striking distance at the bell, where G. K. Armstrong (45yds) held the load. Backhouse had also moved up, leaving the first quarter behind in 58 2-ssec. From the 300yds mark Backhouse raced after Pilling, who had gone into second place. Backhouse led into the straight, but Pilling came again with a strong finish and won by 2yds, a similar distance between second and third. ONE-MILE HANDICAP. H. F. Coombs (Celtic United), 110yds 1 R. Freeman (Toko.), 135yds 2 R. Carroll (Celtic United), 130yds 3 Time. 4min 41sec. Nine starters. G. D. Backhouse (Australia) very sportingly turned out in a heavy downpour for his second run, but was content to give an exhibition and tailed the field. Carroll, Freeman, and Coombs headed the field all the way. and at the bell Carroll was still in front, closely followed by Coombs and Freeman. The last-named went to the front along the back, but Coombs challenged about 200yds from home and led into the straight to win by a yard, Carroll syds back third. HOP, STEP, AND JUMP HANDICAP. A. R. Martin (Toko.), Ift 6in, and R. G. Pilling (University), scr, 39ft Sin 1 R. Roy (Toko.), 2ft Sin, 39ft OJin 3 Six competed. DISCUS THROWING HANDICAP. R. Olver (Toko.), 28ft, 112 ft 7in ... 1 C. Currie (Toko.), 38ft. 109 ft lOiu 2 J Dalgleish (North Otago), scr, 105 ft Sin 3 Nine competed. JAVELIN THROWING HANDICAP. H. Whitaker (Toko.), 13ft, 132 ft 9in ••• 1 R. G. Pilling (University), scr, 122 ft Sin 2 R. Emmerson (Caversham), 13ft, 119 ft 3 Seven competed. LONG JUMP HANDICAP. E. Currie (Toko.), Ift Sin, 19ft Sin 1 R. Roy (Toko.), Ift Gin, 18ft 3iin 2 H. Whitaker (Toko.), Ift, 18ft Oiin 3 Five competed. SHOT PUTT HANDICAP. J. Dalgleish (North Otago), scr, 43ft sjin 1 G. H. Billbrough (Civil Service), 4ft Gin, 38ft lin 2 A. J. Barr (Caversham), Bft, 37ft Six competed. Some good performances were put up in this event, but the shot was short of the regulation weight of 161 b. CIVIC RECEPTION. The visitors were tendered a civic reception at Milton in the afternoon, the mayor (Mr D. M. Manson) extending a welcome to the Australians and expressing the hope that the tour would be a success in every way. Mr U. Walker (representing the football and swimming organisations of the district) said that although this was the first time they had had a visit from Australian athletes, they had on two previous occasions been favoured with visits by Australian swimmers, and he felt sure the benefits derived from those tours would be repeated by the athletes on this occasion. .

Mr B. R. M'Kernan (representing the Otago Centro of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association) said that the present tour represented the fruition of efforts that had been_ begun two years ago. In arranging this tour it was the desire of the centre to give athletics in the country districts _ a boost, and he was sure that the visit of the Australians would cause athletics in the country to go ahead by leaps and bounds.

Mr Floyd (on behalf of the Women’s Hockey Association) and Mrs Gray (Milton Women’s Hockey Association) also welcomed the visitors to Milton, Mr Floyd stating that it was only by visits such as these that athletes in the country were given an opportunity to show their talent and to have it properly developed. Mr j. R. Wilson (president of the Toko. Amateur Athletic Club) conveyed his club’s good wishes for the success of the tour, and in reply Mr Backhouse said that Invercargill had already given them a wonderful reception, and they had had two or three happy days in New Zealand.

Mr Best also replied and said that they would do all they could to assist local athletes. The visitors also expressed their appreciation of the hospitality that had been extended to them during their stay in Milton by Mr and Mrs J. H. Wilson. PRESENTATION TO VISITORS. Following the track and field meeting. the Australians and other visiting athletes were entertained at supper by the Toko. Club, the president (Mr J.R. Wilson) presiding. Mr Wilson said that the two Victorians had willingly set themselves out to fall in with the wishes of the local club, and on behalf of the club he handed each a present. Mr J. A. Hoy, M.P., and Mr C. W. Clark (president of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association) briefly welcomed the Australians, and in their replies Messrs Backhouse and Best referred to the enthusiasm shown by members of the Toko. Club. The Australians arrived in Dunedin last night and are staying at the Grand Hotel. They leave for Roxburgh on Saturday. OUTSTANDING RECORDS Ted Best, who has just turned 21 years of age. told a ‘ Star ’ reporter that he was now in his fourth season of athletics. Throughout he has been a member of the Kew Harriers, which when he started was a D grade dub, but was now a B grade club. He does not engage in harrier running, but plays squash racquets in the winter, and formerly he played Australian rules football for a B grade club. Last year marked Best’s real rise to prominence, when he won the Victorian 100yds and 220yds titles in 9 9-10 sec and 22sec respectively. At the Australian test championships in Melbourne before the Empire Games the young Victorian won the 100yds in 9 7-10 soc and the 220yds in 21 9-10 sec. Ho ran third in the 100yds and 220yds in the Empire Games to Holmes and Mumford in 9 7-10. sec and 21 l-10sec respectively. Best follows common-sense rules in his training. He believes in plenty of sleep, plenty of warming-up before races or training. Each night he has

a good solid run through for approximately 140yds, perhaps twice during the night. A couple of starts and a jog around the ground complete the night’s work. He is trained by Charlie Booth, an old professional athlete, who also trains Frank Scott, ex-public schools sprint champion, who ran in the 440yds at the Empire Games. Shortly before leaving for New Zealand Best won a 100yds in 9 8-10 sec and a furlong in 22 l-10sec. Best is said to be running 2yds faster over 100yds that be was at the Empire Games, and be may yet realise bis ambition of representing Australia at the Olympic Games. Backhouse is a product of the Geelong Grammar School, and in 1929 he won the Victorian public schools’ mile championship in what was considered slow time, though it was 4min 52scc. His time on that occasion was actually 40sec slower than when he ran into second place in the mile at the Empire Games nine years later. When ho began running his only attribute, he admits, was his finish, but after some seasons of what certain writers termed “ mediocrity ” lie really learnt to run, and instead of dragging behind iii the third lap of a mile, as he did formerly, he forced himself to make this section faster without affecting his amazing burst of speed over the last 220yds. Over this last furlong of a race Backhouse changes his whole attitude. He starts to stride out from the hell, and makes that special effort from _ the 220yds mark, though he sometimes holds his sprint until the final straight. He has done little serious cross-country running in recent years, but he tells of how for the first and last time he ran over more than the marathon distance. Cycling 30 miles from Melbourne to Malvern on one occasion and suffering a mishap to his machine, he elected to run the distance homo, which he did in three and a-half hours. It was when he beat the Australian champion, Fred. Coleman, in a 4.29 mile and 1.57 half-mile that Backhouse sprang into prominence three, years a rr o , and he lost only one race that season. His wins included the Centenary mile championship at Melbourne, in which he beat L. C. M‘Lachlan by 2ft in 4rain 18 l-10sec. Week after week Backhouse won his races, proving conclusively that a runner can go out to win every time without the fear sometimes expressed that he will burn himself up. , He has a great admiration for Jack Lovelock. He saw the New Zealander show amazing fortitude when he was beaten in the English mile championsi up by Wooderson shortly before the Olympic Games of 193 C. Wooderson; has a dynamic burst over the last 100yds. and since lie was running to a schedule Lovelock did not make that usual'break of his about 350yds from the tape, and thus had to be content with second place and all the criticism that entails when a recognised champion is beaten. The Olympic 1,500 metres was his goal, and everyone knows how he achieved it, hut to see an English title slip from his grasp in this way showed what strength of mind and fortitude the New Zealander possessed in pursuing steadily his set plan. Backhouse's performances at those Olympic Games of 1936 were exceptionally good considering that he was hampered by the recurrence of an ankle injury suffered some years before. Yet he won his heat of the 800 metres, ran second in the semi-final, and finished seventh in the final. He started in the 1,500 metres against the doctor’s orders, and he described his running with the admission that_ the only man behind him was a pathetic little Japanese or Chinese, who, unless he had some good excuse like the Australian, must have been a “ rotten runner.” Subsequently Backhouse won an 800metres event at a miniature Olympiad in Germany also, being the only British runner competing at that meeting.